This is eight-week series of classes designed for artists of all levels. Portrait drawing is the most fundamental skill in art education. We will cover different aspects such as: quick sketch drawing, details of the face, linear drawing, and long tonal drawing. We will work with various tools such as graphite charcoal in chalk. There will be references to old masters drawings and academic drawings, lecture on composition and light logic. There will be many homework assignments for students to work on during the week. We will work with master copies, and set up our own portrait scenarios.
A virtual room link will be sent to you up to 24 hours prior to your class start date.
Complimentary 10-day access to each recorded session. Recordings are emailed the day after each live session.
9″ x 12″ sketchbook, any brand – smooth paper
11″ x 14″ Bristol vellum paper pad
Graphite pencils, 2 each of: HB, 2B, 4B, 6B
Koh-I-Noor Hardtmuth eraser (can be purchased on Amazon)
Conté charcoal pencils, 1 each of: medium or soft
Kneaded eraser
Optional: Drawing board to accommodate the drawing pads
Leon Okun was born on February 6, 1980 in a small town in Siberia, Russia. In 1993 Leon’s family immigrated to San Diego. His interest in figurative art developed while taking art classes at Mesa Community College, where he was given complete freedom of exploration. This freedom led him to a profound interest in figurative drawing and propelled Leon to pursue the kind of program that would satisfy his passion for fine art.
Leon’s educational art journey began at Watts Atelier (a small private art school with an emphasis on the traditional fine art), where he studied for two and a half years. There he met Ron Lemen, an art instructor at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art. To this day, Leon gives Ron Lemen credit for inspiring him to believe in himself and to set the highest possible standards for personal artwork.
In 2003, Leon returned to Russia to explore Russian art schools and museums. Painters like I. E. Repin, V. Serov, and V. Surikov captured his interest and helped him develop the best possible vision any artist can have: To become a serious painter.
It was then, in 2003, that Leon decided to apply to the Repin Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg. Repin Academy of Arts is a two hundred and fifty-seven year old historic institution. It has been the birthplace of the most famous Russian painters. It was clear to Leon that if he wanted for himself the best art education in the world, than it would have to be the Repin Academy of Arts.
After two years of intense preparation Leon got accepted to the Academy, where he studied for six years and received both a Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Art and a Masters Degrees in Fine Arts.
In 2011, Leon returned to San Diego and immersed himself into teaching, sharing with his students the wonderful education he had received at the Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg.
Successful in his own right as a Artist and as a Teacher, Leon now inspires his students to search our their dreams and to strive to achieve their own personal best.
Leon is a member of the California Art Club, the American Portrait Society, the American Impressionist society, and the Plein Air Painters of San Diego.
Leon has participated in and won numerous art competitions in San Diego and throughout Southern California. His style of painting is based on the traditional European classical art, and color pallet that so many Russian painters are famous for.
Most recently Leon had several successful exhibitions that drew a great deal of interest in the art community.
Course Changes or Cancellations
LAAFA reserves the right to cancel any class/workshop, limit workshop size, change class/workshop times or substitute instructors for those listed in the schedule.
If a class/workshop is cancelled; students may transfer to another class/workshop, use credit on artschoolvideos.com, keep credit on file or be issued a full refund.
Refunds and Transfers
All online classes and workshops are non-refundable.
Absences
There are no make-ups available for online courses. Students are emailed a 10-day access to each recorded session, made available the next day after the live session.
Information
Campus Address
16926 Saticoy Street
Van Nuys, CA 91406
(818) 708-9232
contactus@laafa.edu
Business Hours
Phone Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Main Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
